Bad Pharma, by Ben Goldacre (Fourth Estate, RRP $35): This latest book by British doctor and science writer Ben Goldacre takes an often uncomfortably close look at what is happening in the global pharmaceutical industry. I’m not anti-medication by any means – without the heart, blood pressure and diabetes drugs I swallow every day...
Cockroaches and Police, both by Jo Nesbo (Harvill Secker, RRP $37 each): This recent release to the New Zealand market from Norwegian musician, economist and author Jo Nesbo is actually one of the earlier Harry Hole novels that has finally been translated for his English-speaking fans. This time around, the troubled detective has been...
Mothers Cry Too Dr Sara Weeks (Penguin, RRP $35) Subtitled “recognising and coping with postnatal depression”, this is a handy guide for all new mothers and their families. It discusses the whole range of conditions from the fairly innocuous three day blues to manic psychosis and bipolar disorder. The first part gives an understanding...
One Step Too Far, by Tina Seskis (Michael Joseph, RRP $37): Emily Coleman wakes up one day and simply disappears: she walks away from an apparently happy family with her husband and son, her lovely home and lovely life. But that seemingly happy life may not be all that it seems: Emily has a secret...
Trafficked, by Sophie Hayes (Harper, RRP $25): British girl Sophie Hayes didn’t have a great relationship with her father, or with men in general, mistrusting most of them on sight. However, at the age of 18 she met Kas, just a year older and (it seemed) the exact opposite of what she thought all...
Wild Flowers of New Zealand, photography by Rob Suisted (New Holland Publishers, RRP $20): Wellington-based photographer and conservationist Rob Suisted has produced a book packed with shining and colourful examples of the wildflowers of New Zealand. Early botanists were amazed by the plants they found in New Zealand, many of which are unique to...
Private No 1 Suspect, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Century, RRP $38): Another easy-to-read collaboration from the king of quick reads: James Patterson. Former United States Marine Jack Morgan owns Private, what has become the world’s foremost investigation firm. It is used by the rich and famous, and by the infamous, to handle...
The Golden Egg, by Donna Leon (William Heinemann, RRP $35): Author Donna Leon continues her Commissario Brunetti series, with this 22nd book to feature the Venice-based detective moving along at the same satisfying pace of its predecessor, Beastly Things. In the middle of a routine and somewhat mundane case, Brunetti gets a call from...
Civilisation: Twenty Places on the Edge of the World, by Steve Braunias (Awa Press, RRP $36): Steve Braunias is a master of biting satire, so if you are looking for a friendly little travelogue highlighting the awesomeness of various locale, you might you might want to look elsewhere. However, if you want a read...
Hey You: A Kiwi Compendium of Baby Names, by Rosemary Hepozden (Renaissance Publishing, RRP $25): I’m sure we’ve all, at some point, looked up the meaning of our own name in one of those dinky little books that list all the names you can think of (and a few you never would have thought...
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